FIRE SYSTEM

INTRODUCTION

Under the rather broad heading of fire protection systems, this module will examine

the main components of alerting, suppression, and containment features and systems.

Consideration of these systems is a natural adjunct to a discussion of hazards and

building construction features. The primary components we will examine are fire alarm

systems, fire detection and notification systems, suppression agents and systems, water

distribution systems, automatic sprinkler systems, standpipe and hose systems, and

portable fire extinguishers. This module will cover a lot of basic material meant to

provide the novice inspector a solid foundation on which to build. As was said in the

earlier modules, it is only a beginning.

FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS

Purpose of Fire Alarm Systems

A properly designed, installed, operated, and maintained fire alarm system can reduce
the losses associated with an unwanted fire in any building. These losses include
property and, more importantly, human life. The primary motivation for fire alarm
system requirements in building and fire codes is to provide early notification to
building occupants so they can exit the building, and to notify the fire service so it can
respond to the fire. In settings such as hospitals the fire alarm system provides
notification to staff so they can respond to the fire emergency (as opposed to evacuating
the building). This module will explain the basic features of fire alarm systems and
the inspection of these systems. It should be noted that fire alarm systems also are
called "protective signaling systems," especially in NFPA documents and in other
codes and standards.

Basic Components of a Fire Alarm System

Fire alarm systems generally have the following components.

Alarm Initiating Device Circuits

These are the circuits which connect initiating devices such as smoke detectors, heat detectors,
manual pull stations, and water flow alarms. Additionally, many system monitor devices
important to the overall fire safety of the building also tie in to initiating circuits. These devices
indicate an "abnormal" condition, not a fire or "alarm" condition. They are referred to as
"supervisory devices." One example would be the valve supervisory switch or tamper switch
of a valve controlling the automatic sprinkler system. These types of devices also may be
connected to supervisory type circuits.

Alarm Indicating Appliance Circuits

Audible and visible alarm indicating appliances tie in to these circuits to provide warning to
the building occupants. Devices which send a signal off premises also can be connected to
these circuits.

Fire Alarm Control Panel

The fire alarm control panel contains the electronics that supervise and monitor the fire alarm
system. The initiating and indicating circuits are connected directly into this panel.

Primary Power Supply

The primary electrical supply powers the entire fire alarm system. Primary power for fire alarm
systems typically is provided by connecting into the local commercial power service.
Secondary Power Supply

A separate power supply that will operate automatically when the primary power fails and
is capable of operating the entire system is considered a secondary power supply.

Initiating Devices

Initiating devices fall into one of two main categories: either those that indicate an alarm
condition, or those that indicate an abnormal condition of a monitored device. A brief
description of the common types of devices follows.

Fire detection can occur by using any device that responds to conditions caused by fire. The
most common byproducts of fire are heat, smoke, flames, and fire gases.

In addition, people can detect a fire and initiate an alarm by activating a manual pull station.
Also, when a sprinkler system activates and causes an alarm, it is a result of the sprinkler system
detecting heat produced by the fire (if the sprinklers have fusible links). We will now look
briefly at heat detectors, smoke detectors, flame detectors, gas sensors, manual fire alarm
boxes, automatic suppression systems, and indicating appliances.

HEAT DETECTOR

Heat detectors commonly are used to detect fires. They are not as prone to false alarms
and are less expensive than smoke detectors. However, the response of heat detectors
may not be adequate in many instances, which limits their usefulness. Heat detectors
are slower to respond to fires than are smoke detectors because heat detectors cannot
respond to smoke. Heat detectors typically are best suited for detecting fast-growing
fires in small spaces. Heat detectors are also a means of fire detection in locations that
smoke detectors cannot protect due to such environmental effects as mist, normally
occurring smoke, and high humidity. Heat detectors have several different operating
mechanisms.

Fusible-element type mechanisms use a eutectic alloy that melts rapidly at a

predetermined fixed temperature. When this temperature is reached and the fusible
alloy melts, an electrical contact occurs and causes an alarm. Fusible alloys also are
commonly used in sprinkler heads. These mechanisms must be replaced after each
operation.

Bimetallic type mechanisms combine two metals with different thermal expansion
coefficients. As the mechanism heats, one metal expands more than the other, causing
a deflection in the shape of the element. This deflection causes an electrical contact,
thus initiating an alarm. These types of mechanisms are self-resetting as the element
cools.
Rate-compensated heat detectors respond to a given temperature of the surrounding
air regardless of the rate at which the temperature rises. This, in effect, compensates
for thermal lag, which standard thermal detectors do not do. This can be compared to
the rate-of-rise detectors discussed immediately below.

Some heat detectors operate on what is commonly referred to as the "rate of rise" principle.
Regardless of the ambient temperature, if the detector senses a rise in temperature exceeding a
set amount, an alarm occurs. One method of accomplishing this is using a container that has a
small vent hole. As air is heated it expands; this can cause a set of contacts to close and send
an alarm. If the expanding air can leak out of a vent hole, the resulting pressure will be reduced.
However, if the air expands at a rate faster than the vent hole can compensate for, the contacts
will close and an alarm will be sent.

Combination heat detectors can combine the two operating principles of reaching a
fixed temperature and reaching a set rate of rise. Smoke and heat detectors also can be
combined into a single unit. It should be noted that some combination smoke/heat
detectors activate when either condition is reached, while others require both the smoke
and heat mechanisms to operate. In most cases, little benefit, if any, results from the
combination detector which requires both heat and smoke to cause an alarm.

Other types of heat detectors include heat-sensitive cables and liquid expansion detectors.
 Low Profile Heat Detector

Probe Type Heat Detector Rate of Rise Fixed Temperature Heat Detector

Parts and Stages

HEAT DETECTOR
 Product Heat Detector

Application Industrial/ Commercial

Brand Agni

Power Source Corded Electric

Colour White

Alarm Audible, Visual

Sensor Type Heat detector

Upper Temperature 50 Degree Celsius

Rating
Country of Origin India

price 2600

SMOKE DETECTOR

One cannot overemphasize the benefits of smoke detectors. However, smoke detectors
are not usable in all environments and their effectiveness varies depending on the fire
scenario and occupant capability. The two basic operating mechanisms currently used in
smoke detectors are photoelectric and ionization.
Ionization smoke detectors

have a small amount of a radioactive material located within the detector that "ionizes"
the air entering the detection chamber. Once ionized, the air particles become
conductive, allowing a current to flow through the detector circuitry. Smoke entering
the ionization chamber causes a reduction in the current flowing through the detector's
circuitry. At a certain reduced level of current flow, the detector signals an alarm.
 Ionization smoke detectors

Circuit Diagram of Ionization Smoke Detector

Photoelectric smoke detectors

use one of two methods to detect smoke; however, both use a light-emitting source and a
receiver. Photoelectric smoke detectors that operate on the "light obscuration" principle work
as follows. A light source is directed at a receiver which is accustomed to receiving a certain
intensity of light. When smoke particles enter the detection chamber they partially block the
light traveling from the emitter to the receiver. When the light is reduced or obscured by a
certain amount, the detector's built-in circuitry sounds an alarm.

The second operating principle used in photoelectric detectors is that of "light scattering." It is
more common and operates as follows. The receiver in the detection chamber is located so that
the light emitted is normally not "seen" by the receiver. That is, the light emitter and receiver
are not aligned as with the light obscuration method. When smoke enters the detection
chamber, light from the emitter strikes it. A fraction of the light striking the smoke particles is
scattered or "reflected" away from the smoke particle. Some of this scattered light lands on, or
strikes, the photo receiver. When a preset amount of light lands on the receiver, the detector
signals an alarm.

Detectors that operate on the photoelectric principle are generally appropriate in locations
where slow-growing, smoldering fires are expected. These fires typically generate large size
particles (0.3-10 microns). They also respond better to light gray smoke as opposed to very
dark smoke. Ionization-type detectors respond better to fast-flowing, flaming fires that produce
smaller particles (0.01-3.0 microns). Ionization detectors respond better to dark smoke than to
light smoke. Photoelectric detectors are better suited than ionization detectors for locations
with high humidity. Air velocity also may affect smoke detector operation.

Photoelectric smoke detectors

A special type of photoelectric smoke detector is the projected-beam detector. Here the
operating principle is the same as a light-obscurationbased detector but the light emitter and
the receiver are physically separated across large areas (e.g., the length of a room). Smoke at
any location between the two components can result in an alarm. These detectors also can be
used in conjunction with mirror systems so that the projected beam is directed in several
directions before ultimately striking the receiver.

Another special type of smoke detector is the cloud chamber smoke detector. This detection
system uses a pump to sample the air from a given room. The air is pumped into a high
humidity chamber and the pressure in the chamber then is reduced slightly. If smoke particles
are present, as the pressure is lowered, moisture will condense on the smoke particles. This
creates a "cloud" within the chamber. The photoelectric principle discussed above is then used
to detect the presence of the "cloud" and, hence, smoke.

Photoelectric smoke detectors

Light Obscuration Principle

Beam Smoke Detector

Recent data indicate that health care facilities, for example, are experiencing an average
of approximately 15 unwanted alarms for every real alarm. One problem resulting
from these high averages is that people may ignore the fire alarm's warnings during
fire drills and actual emergencies, believing it to be "just another false alarm." Quite
obviously this could lead to a tragedy. Many of the unwanted alarms are attributed to
"field" problems such as insects in the detector and other maintenance deficiencies.

Some modifications in detector design are helping to reduce the unwanted alarm
problem. Alarm verification recently was approved by U/L. This allows the fire alarm
panel to "wait" for a specified time period to see whether the signal from the detector
is just from a brief exposure to smoke or from electrical "noise." Device manufacturers
are modifying their products continually to reduce the unwanted alarm rate. System
maintenance can have a profound effect on the false alarms at facilities.

There are other ways to deal with the unwanted alarm situation: proper system design,
installation, and acceptance test procedures. For example, the specification could
specify a certain sensitivity rating such as 2.5 percent or 3 percent which would
eliminate detectors that are too sensitive. During the acceptance test one should verify
the sensitivity of the detectors. Also, proper location of smoke detectors with respect
to air diffusers will assist in reducing unwanted alarms. As a general rule of thumb, a
detector should have a three-foot separation from a supply air diffuser.

SMOKE DETECTOR

Product Smoke Detector

Application Industrial/ Commercial

Brand Honeywell
 Power Source Battery Powered

Weight 104 g

Model Name/ SSD-100

Number
Sensor Type Smoke detector

material Plastic

Dimension Grade 10.2Dx 10.2Wx 4.9H cm

price 1,010

FLAME DETECTOR

Another method of fire detection is detectors that are sensitive to the light waves
emitted by fires. These typically operate by detecting ultraviolet (UV) or infrared
(IR) energy. These detectors are extremely quick to operate and typically are used only
in high hazard areas such as industrial process facilities, fuel-loading areas, and areas
where explosions may occur. Explosion suppression systems protect them. One
problem with IR detectors is that they will respond to sunlight, creating an unwanted
alarm problem. Besides, both types of flame detectors must "see" the flame to detect
it so they usually have to be pointed toward the locations where fires are likely to
originate.
UV/IR Flame Detectors Infrared Flame Detectors FLAME
DETECTOR

Product Flame Detector

Application Industrial/ Commercial

Brand Honeywell

Voltage 12-14 V DC

Weight 465 g

Model Name/ FSL100-UVIR

Number
 Ingress Protection IP65

Operating 25 mA at 24 V DC
Current Normal
Dimension Grade 125 x 80 x 57 mm

price 100/ piece

MANUAL FIRE ALARM BOXES (PULL STATIONS)

Very common initiating devices, the manual fire alarm boxes usually are referred to as
manual pull stations. These are simple devices which operate manually, i.e., they
require that a person operate the mechanism. These are found throughout building
hallways, near exits, and at other strategic locations such as a nurse's station or security
center. The manual fire alarm devices provide a means of manually activating the fire
alarm system and are used in all types of fire alarm systems. They may be the only
initiating devices provided, or they may be used with automatic initiating devices, such
as heat or smoke detectors.

Manual fire stations generally are located near main exits from a building or from a
floor of a multistory building and in certain work areas containing unusual fire hazards,
valuable equipment, or records subject to fire damage. Paint shops, aircraft repair
areas, computer rooms, and telephone equipment rooms are examples of such work
areas.
 Manual Fire Alarm Boxes

FIRE ALARM CONTROL PANEL

A fire alarm control panel (FACP), fire alarm control unit (FACU), fire indicator panel
(FIP), or simply fire alarm panel is the controlling component of a fire alarm system. The
panel receives information from devices designed to detect and report fires, monitors their
operational integrity, and provides for automatic control of equipment, and transmission of
information necessary to prepare the facility for fire based on a predetermined sequence. The
panel may also supply electrical energy to operate any associated initiating device, notification
appliance, control, transmitter, or relay. There are four basic types of panels: coded panels,
conventional panels, addressable panels, and multiplex systems.
FIRE ALARM CONTROL PANEL

Product Fire Alarm Control Panel

Brand Honeywell

Application Industrial

Zones Addresable

Voltage 220
 Model NFS640
Name/Number
price 1,85,000

FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM

Fire suppression systems, they mostly tend to think of active suppression such as sprinklers and
extinguishers. There are two types of fire suppression systems, and along with that, we’ll be
breaking down the components of a fire suppression system and a fire sprinkler system in this
article.

Fire sprinkler system is a type of fire suppression system that have two types substances being
released. Wet fire suppression systems are overhead sprinklers that are connected and filled
with water that is under pressure. Once it reaches a high temperature point, the system will
extinguish fire using water until firefighters arrive. Dry fire suppression systems are charged
with compressed air, or different substances. When the sprinkler operates, it releases air and
the control valve opens, allowing water to flow from the pipe and emit chemicals, gas, or foam
agents.

Components of a Fire Suppression System

1. Fire Alarm Panel

This is the brain of your entire fire suppression system. It monitors every connected device and
relays information between each part.

2. Initiating Device

Manual and automatic are two main types of initiating devices. Manual devices require a person
to activate them. An example of this manual device would be places where you see
extinguishers with a notice that says,“break in case of fire” or “pull in case of fire.” Automatic
devices respond on their own to the detectable physical changes that comes with fire, heat, and
smoke.

3. Primary Power Supply

It is the main source of power for your fire suppression system. Its supply and backup are
usually consisted of batteries, an emergency generator, or some other type of emergency power
device.

4. Secondary Power Supply

This will only take action once something happens to the primary power supply. It is to ensure
that your fire protection and suppression system stays up and running even when the power
goes out.

5. Notification Appliances

Notification appliances are basically fire alarms, strobe lights, and audio devices to notify
people.
 WET SYSTEM

A wet fire sprinkler system is a type of fire protection system

where water is constantly present in the pipes. When a fire is
detected, the sprinklers release water immediately. This system is
effective for rapidly suppressing fires, especially in areas where
freezing temperatures are not a concern, as the water remains in
the pipes and is ready to flow instantly upon activation.

DRY SYSTEM

In a dry fire sprinkler system, the pipes are filled with pressurized
air or nitrogen instead of water. When a sprinkler head is activated by heat, the air pressure
drops, allowing water to flow into the pipes and through the open sprinkler. This system is
commonly used in environments where freezing temperatures could cause water in the pipes to
freeze. It's effective in cold climates or areas where water may not be suitable until a fire is
confirmed.

Dry Riser System Systematic Diagram Dry Riser System Inlet

Components of a Fire Sprinkler System

1. Alarm Valve
The alarm valve takes over for the stop valve when the fire sprinkler system activates. It also
controls the flow of water into the sprinkler system. Once the fire sprinkler valves are closed,
its heads are closed and the heads are only opened when it is unblocked.

2. Alarm Valve Test

This allows you to test your fire suppression system at shut-off conditions. It is useful for testing
your fire suppression system without flooding your place.

3. Motorized Alarm

This is basically a type of fire alarm. When the fire suppression system turns on, it reaches a
bell that will make a loud noise and alerts the people in the place or property.

4. Sprinkler Heads

This is a part of a fire suppression system that you can see everywhere on a daily basis. It
contains the flow of water for the area where the fire is occurring. Most fire sprinkler heads
keep their release to a limited area where it is needed.
5. Stop Valve

A stop valve is usually red and should be locked in an open position. This stops the flow of
water coming to the fire suppression system when the sprinkler does not go off.

SPRINKLER
Sprinklers are devices used in fire protection systems. They consist of a network of pipes with
attached sprinkler heads. When heat from a fire activates a sprinkler head, it releases water to
suppress or extinguish the fire. Sprinklers are a crucial component in fire safety, providing
automatic fire suppression in various environments, from residential buildings to industrial
facilities.

Function: Sprinklers play a crucial role in fire protection by automatically releasing water
when a fire is detected, helping to suppress or extinguish the flames.

Activation: Sprinklers are typically activated by heat. When the ambient temperature around a
sprinkler head rises due to a fire, a heat-sensitive element triggers the release of water.

Types: There are various types of sprinklers, including wet, dry, pre-action, and deluge systems,
each designed for specific fire protection needs.

Coverage: Sprinkler systems are strategically designed to provide effective coverage for
different areas within a building. The spacing and arrangement of sprinkler heads are critical
considerations.

Prevention: Sprinklers can prevent the spread of fire and limit damage to property by
controlling the flames until emergency responders arrive.

Maintenance: Regular inspection and maintenance of sprinkler systems are essential to ensure
their proper functioning when needed. This includes checking for leaks, corrosion, and
obstructions.

Building Codes: Building codes often dictate the installation and specifications of sprinkler
systems, emphasizing their importance in ensuring the safety of occupants and protecting
property.
Temperature Ratings: Sprinklers come with different temperature ratings to match the
expected ambient temperatures in specific areas, ensuring accurate and timely activation.

Water Supply: Reliable water supply is crucial for the effectiveness of sprinkler systems.
Buildings must have adequate water sources and pressure to meet the system's requirements.

Advantages: Sprinklers provide quick response to fires, reduce property damage, and enhance
overall fire safety. They are a proactive measure that can save lives and protect valuable assets.

TYPES OF SPINKLERS

• Pendent
• Upright
• Sidewall
• Concealed
• Wet pipe
• Dry pipe
• Pre-action
• Deluge
• ESFR
• In-Rack Sprinklers
PENDENT SPRINKLER

Product Brass Pendent Fire Sprinkler

Application Fire Fighting

Brand HD

Type Pendent

Material Brass

Bulb Size 5 mm

Mounting Type Ceiling Mounted

Thread Size 1/2 inch

Temperature 68 Degree Celsius

Rating
price 75/ piece

UPRIGHT SPRINKLER
 Product Brass Upright Fire Sprinkler

Application Fire Fighting

Brand HD

Type Upright

Material Brass

Bulb Size 5 mm

Mounting Type Ceiling Mounted

Thread Size 1/2 inch

Temperature 68 Degree Celsius

Rating
price 100/ piece

SIDEWALL SPRINKLER
 Product Sidewall Fire Sprinkler

Application Fire Fighting

Brand Generic

Type Sidewall

Material Brass

Bulb Size 5 mm, 3mm

Mounting Type wall Mounted

Thread Size 1/2 inch

Temperature 57, 68, 79, 93 Degree Celsius

Rating
price 80/ piece

CONCEALED SPRINKLER
Product Concealed Fire Sprinkler

Application Fire Fighting

Brand Rakshak

Type Pendent

Material Brass

Bulb Size 5 mm

Mounting Type Ceiling Mounted

Thread Size 1/2 inch

Temperature 68, Degree Celsius

Rating
price 300